Fix Thin Content Issues on Your Website
TL;DR:
- Use Google Search Console to find pages with thin content
- Add meaningful information to flagged pages or merge similar ones
- Aim for at least 300 words of substantial content per page
- Remove pages that don't add value for visitors
- Update content regularly to match what users actually search for
Thin content hurts your search rankings and frustrates visitors. These pages offer little value – think sparse product descriptions, doorway pages, or content that's just a few sentences long.
The good news is that fixing thin content is straightforward once you know where to look.
Finding Your Thin Content
Start with Google Search Console. This free tool shows you how Google sees your pages and flags potential problems. Look for pages with low impressions or poor click-through rates – these often indicate thin content.
You can also manually review your site. Pages with less than 150 words, duplicate content, or information that doesn't help visitors are prime candidates for improvement.
Fixing What You Find
Once you've identified thin content, you have three main options:
Expand the content. Add more detailed, useful information. If you have a product page with just a basic description, include specifications, usage tips, or customer benefits. Turn a thin blog post into a comprehensive guide.
Merge similar pages. If you have multiple pages covering the same topic, combine them into one stronger resource. This gives you more content depth and avoids splitting your SEO efforts.
Remove pages that don't work. Sometimes the best fix is deletion. Pages that serve no purpose for visitors should go. Use 301 redirects to send any existing traffic to more relevant pages.
Squarespace Content Guidelines
For Squarespace sites, aim for at least 300 words of meaningful text per page. This isn't about hitting a word count – it's about providing enough information to be genuinely helpful.
Here's what counts as meaningful content:
- Detailed product or service descriptions
- Useful information that answers visitor questions
- Original insights or expertise
- Clear explanations of what you offer
What doesn't count:
- Repeated navigation text
- Boilerplate copy used across multiple pages
- Filler content that doesn't add value
Remember that Squarespace 7.1 handles content differently than older versions. Make sure your text appears in the main content areas, not just in headers or sidebars.
Keeping Content Fresh
Thin content isn't just about length – it's also about relevance. Content that was useful two years ago might not serve your audience today.
Set up a regular review schedule. Check your content every six months to ensure it still matches what people are searching for. Update outdated information, add new insights, and remove sections that no longer apply.
Use your analytics to guide these updates. Pages with high bounce rates or low engagement might need more substantial content, even if they meet the minimum word count.
FAQs
How do I use Google Search Console to find thin content?
Log into Search Console and check the Coverage report for pages with low impressions. Also review the Performance report for pages with poor click-through rates. These often indicate content that isn't meeting user needs.
Do I need exactly 300 words per page for good SEO?
No, 300 words is a guideline, not a rule. Focus on providing complete, helpful information. Some pages might need 500+ words to be truly useful, while others might work well with 250 words if they're genuinely valuable.
What pages typically get flagged as thin content?
Common culprits include basic product pages, short blog posts, outdated service descriptions, and pages created mainly for SEO rather than user value. Contact pages and simple thank-you pages usually aren't flagged if they serve their purpose.
Jargon Buster
Thin content – Pages with minimal text or poor-quality information that don't provide real value to visitors
Google Search Console – Google's free tool that shows how your site performs in search results and highlights potential issues
301 redirect – A permanent redirect that sends visitors and search engines from one URL to another
Bounce rate – The percentage of visitors who leave your site after viewing only one page
Wrap-up
Fixing thin content improves both your search rankings and user experience. Start by identifying problem pages through Google Search Console, then either expand, merge, or remove them based on what makes sense for your visitors.
The key is creating content that genuinely helps people. When you focus on being useful rather than just hitting word counts, you'll naturally develop stronger, more engaging pages that perform better in search results.
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